Everyone clapped him on the back, nudged at his side, and jokingly patted his head. Zeno felt like this was torture. He was definitely bleeding under his heavy clothes—the only advantage they had at this moment. Daeshim pursed his lips and gave Zeno a tight hug, making his breath hitch. Goodness. It just got worse.
“That’s some of the best acting I’ve seen in my entire career, and trust me, it has been a very long career. It has made me even more excited to air the entire show.”
“Thanks… PD,” Zeno said after much difficulty. The others watched as he became the center of attention. Yuan joined Suho, Oska, Daniel, and Risa at the side, smiling to himself. “He’s freaking amazing.” The other four were silent, all wearing ambiguous expressions.
“Why does it look like he’s dying even after the camera has stopped recording?” Daniel muttered.
“I know, right?” Yuan exclaimed. “I’m sad that this is the last episode I need to film. I want to watch him more.”
Oska clicked his tongue and glared at him. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“I do, actually,” Yuan chuckled. “I have another project lined up after this—a singing role,” he boasted. “How about you? Did Daebak find you any works yet? Or do they need to bribe another production crew to make you a main lead?”
Oska’s eyes widened, while Risa and Suho pursed their lips.
“Hey,” Daniel said. “You’re not even in the Rookie Class. Oska is in the Imperial Class. Do you think you should be speaking here?”
“Imperial Class but with very forgettable works,” Yuan said, not stopping. He was #TeamZeno all the way now, ready to defend him against Oska.
Oska’s fists clenched as he stood. “I guess people don’t know their places right now, huh? You had a failed idol career, so you got lucky with acting.”
Yuan shrugged, unfazed by the insult. However, Oska was not done; he was ready to insult everyone in his line of sight.
“Daniel, you only get roles because you look like a model,” he started.
“I—I’m on your side,” Daniel muttered.
“Yuan, you would have never been a successful actor if it wasn’t for your previous fans. You would be lost in a sea of actors otherwise.”
Yuan puffed his cheeks up like a hamster.
Oska glanced at Risa with a knowing look but didn’t say anything. The latter merely looked away, avoiding his gaze.
“And you,” he said to Suho with a small smirk, “you’ve only ever gotten ‘younger brother’ roles for the majority of your career. Why is that? Because it’s the only thing you can do. Stop acting high and mighty when you’re merely a one-dimensional actor.”
Then he looked at all of them. “So, don’t look at me with disgust knowing the opportunities are handed to me on a silver platter. You, too, would do the same in my situation. Look into your careers. Clearly, you have bigger fish to fry.”
Oska smirked, feeling satisfied. He had felt looked down upon the moment he stepped foot here, and throwing those insults made him feel better.
Suho stood and walked over to him with a murderous gaze. Yuan’s eyes widened, sensing something bad was about to happen.
“Wait, man. Don’t do anything,” he whispered.
Oska raised his chin, still sporting that damned insulting smirk. Suho’s jaw clenched as he closed his eyes to hold himself back. When he opened them, they were redder than Oska had expected. Was he… crying?
Before Oska could scrutinize further, Suho walked away, leaving everyone in an awkward atmosphere. Yuan scratched the back of his head.
“Man, all of you suck except for Zeno.”
***
Zeno was back in his hut, letting out a string of curses as he removed his garments. Fortunately, Suho and Oska had a scene where he wasn’t included, so he had time to recuperate.
“Welp,” he said as soon as he saw his open wound. Yuan was way too enthusiastic! He had dug the wooden sword into his actual wound.
Zeno shook his head and looked for the sutures in his bag, careful as to not aggravate his injury further.
“Finally,” he muttered when it was in his hands. “Did he include the anesthetic like I said?”
Zeno opened the package and found the anesthetic—an ointment, making him curse once more. But then again, a medical student wouldn’t have an injected anesthetic in hand.
He clicked his tongue.
“We’re raw-dogging it then,” he muttered, placing on the sterile gloves. He glanced at his watch to estimate his time. He needed to move quickly before his next scene.
Zeno pierced through his skin with the sharp end of the suture, and he nearly screamed in pain. Goodness, this was almost as bad as the Pain Trial! He went through the first stitch and let out a deep breath.
As he started the second stitch, his unforgiving system decided to show up.
[+1 Talent and Skills. Acting Improved. Current Grade: S]
[Fame Meter: 27%]
Zeno couldn’t even smile at the upgrade. He had unlocked another letter, but did it have to show up during this time? To add salt to his wound, another notification popped up.
[Missions Accomplished!]
[New Missions:
1. Reduce the total filming time of the drama production by 10% without compromising quality.
Deadline: Final day of principal shooting.
2. The first episode of The Forsaken Prince must achieve at least 20% nationwide viewership rating.
Deadline: 24 hours after the episode airs.]
Zeno raised his sterile middle finger up in the sky. His lips were badly bitten from the lack of anesthesia, so he decided to hurry up. Just then, however, the door to their hut opened and Moby’s voice rang through the small area.
“Zeno, you can rest now. They’re having a hard time with this scene because Suho and Oska are—”
Moby stopped in his tracks as he gazed at the scene before him.
Zeno, shirtless, with his bloody stab wound. A suture was in his hands, and he was sewing his own open wound.
The view was freaking cool!
Still, Moby couldn’t help it.
He passed out.